by Kelly Mitchell
As the New Year approaches, so do the resolutions. Getting back in shape is always a popular resolution for the New Year, especially for moms, whose bodies have been altered by pregnancy. Whether it’s to lose the baby weight, the last five pounds, or just tone up and keep in shape, moms want make it happen. The problem isn’t getting motivated, the real challenge is STAYING motivated. Sometimes you need that push, somebody to keep you going and not let you stop until you reach your goal.
Enter Angela Kraber, fitness guru. She has made a career of inspiring moms to achieve fitness goals they never knew they could. What started out as a weight loss goal for herself has turned into her life’s work. And what she gets out of it is far more rewarding than the usual 9-5 job. She absolutely loves what she does, has hundreds of clients that she now calls friends, and best of all is able to make her own schedule so that she can spend time with her two daughters, Meadow and Emma.
Check out Angela's site at www.momsontherunfitness.com
In 2006, three months after giving birth to her first daughter, Angela started looking for a marathon-training program to help take off the baby weight. She had quit her full time job to be a stay-at-home mom and luckily stumbled upon Stroller Strides, a popular fitness program for moms wanting to shed post baby pounds. Angela was hooked. A year later, she opened her own Stroller Strides franchise in HB/Fountain Valley. By 2010 she was operating two locations, 5 days a week with 75 active members. It didn’t take long for her to be recognized as a great influence by her clients. In 2010 she was nominated for franchisee of the year. From there she expanded her business to include “Body Back,” an intense 8-week program (also launched by Stroller Strides founder Lisa Druxman). She also became a personal trainer and has launched Moms on the Run Fitness running club that has grown to 40 mothers, training for everything from a 5K to a marathon. Many of her clients had never run before.
Amy Swaine, a client of Angela’s for 3 years, owes her success to Angela. “I can easily say Angela has made me a better mom.” Says Amy. “I am healthy and fit, I have mommy friends that I can go to, and my kids have made friends that I know that they will have the rest of their lives. Angela has provided this for a HUGE group of moms in the Huntington Beach/Fountain Valley area.”
Becky Somsak, another client, agrees. “Angela helps (forces) you to find that little place inside yourself that believes that you can do ANYTHING! I have accomplished things I never thought I would, including becoming a Stroller Strides and Fit 4 Baby instructor and running a marathon! “
Angela takes a great deal of pride in the results achieved by her clients. “I found a true passion for the role of fitness in the life of a mother.” Kraber says. “Being able to take a journey with these women as they experience pride in their bodies, and a shift not only in their physical appearance, but a shift mentally and emotionally in how they feel about themselves. I get emotional thinking about all the empowerment that takes place, and picturing the ripple effect that will have on their children.”
Angela is a native of Orange County. She grew up in Mission Viejo and remembers her own mother as a positive role model, running a business from home and staying fit through running. Little did Angela know, she would end up following in her mom’s footsteps. “My girls see me active every day and get to watch me do what I love.” She says, “Speaking from experience, knowing your own strength as a little girl, and seeing the strength of your own mom, is one of the greatest gifts a girl can have.”
To stay on track with your New Year’s fitness resolution, Angela shares her top10 tips:
• Set a defined goal, and be realistic. just saying you want to lose weight, or get healthy, isn’t a set enough plan. You need an actual goal, that you can measure, and put time on it. You have to define what that looks like for you. And be realistic. You aren’t on the Biggest Loser, so saying you want to lose 20 pounds in 2 weeks is out of the question.
• Stay hydrated! You should feel like you are constantly drinking water! Dehydration can sometimes be confused as hunger, so get at least 8 glasses of water a day to help curb your appetite.
• Eat clean! As adults, you should be aware of what is and isn’t healthy for you. A good rule of thumb, if it doesn’t come from the earth or an animal- stay away! Stick to foods in their most natural form.
• Plan your meals. Life is crazy and hectic. Add a few kids, a household, a career and you just might go insane. We make our worst eating choices when we have little or no choice. Plan out your meals for the week, including snacks, and you have one less thing to worry about.
• Get sleep. Your body needs 8 hours a sleep a night. Yes. Don’t laugh. Hormones are released that aid in weight loss only during your REM sleep pattern. Being well rested is more important than alone time late at night watching the Real Housewives. You will thank me, I promise.
• Make more good choices than bad. Let’s be honest, nobody’s perfect. And I am sure anyone that has tried a strict diet of cutting out all carbs, or all sugar usually leads you to a binge eating session, and a ton of guilt. Decide what treat you want to have, allow yourself an indulgence every now and then. And when you do =- savor every bite. That way you truly enjoy what you are having, instead of downing it and being left with the guilt.
• Find a buddy. Accountability is key to staying on a healthy path, and sticking to a fitness routine. Find a friend that is excited to work out too, and make a pact you will encourage each other!
• Be an inspiration. Put it out there for everyone to know that you are making changes to your health and fitness. People want inspiration; they want to see success happen. Knowing they are counting on you helps you stick with it.
• Take a day off. You can’t be on all the time. You need a day off. Rest, eat something naughty, and stare at the TV. Sometimes knowing that you have that luxury on the weekend helps you hold out during the week.
• Focus on making a lifestyle change, not just weight change. You are changing habits for your health, for the rest of your life. Things will happen, you will miss a workout; you will eat something terrible for you. The important thing to keep in mind, is that you are always just one workout, one healthy meal, or one good night sleep away from being right back on track. Don’t beat yourself up. That’s what got you here in the first place.
For more information, contact
Angela Kraber
877-532-7181
angelakraber@strollerstrides.net
www.momsontherunfitness.com